Ann-Marie DePalma, RDH, MEd, FAADH

Ann-Marie DePalma, RDH, MEd, FADIA, FAADH

Friday, April 13, 2012

1. 9 – 12 am

2. 2 - 5 pm

Recommended for: Hygienists, Assistants, Office Managers

ODAA Courses

3 CE Credits each

1. TMD-TMJ, What is It All About?

Temporomandibular Disorders are a group of conditions, often painful, that affects the Temporomandibular Joint and the muscles of mastication. It has been estimated by the National Institutes of Health that approximately 10 million people are affected. As dental team members, many are unaware of the signs, symptoms, and treatments available for these patients. This course will provide the dental hygienist and dental team members, who may have only the basic knowledge of the TM joint, with a very detailed and informed presentation involving the structure and function of the joint, etiological factors of disease, examination and evaluation methods used, and treatment modalities offered. The role of the dental team in TMD will be discussed. A personal discussion will also be offered.

At the conclusion of this course, attendees will be able to:

Demonstrate a basic review of the anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint

Identify the signs and symptoms of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)

Explain the possible etiological factors which contribute to the development of TMD

Discuss the various methods of evaluation and treatment of TMD

Discuss the role of the dental team in TMD

2. Habits of Effective Dental Offices: Do You Have What it Takes?

What do you see in your dental practice? As a dental team member, do you see professionals who encourage each other and where patients are treated genuinely? Or are teamwork and patient care diminished? This program offers insights into ways dental teams can practice much like sports teams to produce an overwhelming positive experience for the good of the practice, the individual team member and ultimately, the patients.

At the conclusion of this course, attendees will be able to:

State the basic principles of effective dental offices

Discuss how each of the principles can be used to determine if an office is effective

Explain the roles of communication and teamwork within dental offices

Ms. DePalma is a Fellow and Certified Educator of the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, as well as a continuous member of ADHA. Ann-Marie is currently a business/clinical coach for Jameson Management, Inc, and presents continuing education programs for dental team members on a variety of topics. Ann-Marie is a monthly columnist and feature writer for RDH Magazine and a consultant dental hygiene examiner for NERB. She has been a faculty member of a dental hygiene program and program chair of a dental assisting program after having been employed in clinical hygiene for 25+ years in periodontal and general practices.